A driver smashed their vehicle into a lamp post outside Featherston’s Royal Hotel, knocking it over, before fleeing over Remutaka Hill.
Emergency services responded to the crash at 10.20pm on Saturday after being notified by a nearby business.
The knocked-over power pole on the intersection of SH53 Revans St and SH2 Fitzherbert St was lying on the kerb, flax bushes were uprooted, and black vehicle debris was scattered on the road.
There was no vehicle at the scene when emergency services arrived.
A Fire and Emergency [Fenz] spokesperson said the vehicle’s grille was lying on the road, identifying it as a 4WD vehicle.
The spokesperson said members of the public reported hearing a bang and seeing a black ute taking off up Remutaka Hill Rd.
The road was blocked for 40 minutes while emergency services attended.
Police said enquiries were ongoing.
